Two new films are about to bring the buddy movie up to date — by starring female duos. It’s about time, says Kate Muir. Plus, scroll down for our list of greatest buddy films

The old days of the buddy movie genre — featuring two wise-cracking policemen,
one fat, one thin, snacking on jelly doughnuts in a squad car — are coming
to an end. Later this month, The Heat arrives here, starring Melissa
McCarthy and Sandra Bullock as two policewomen with attitude problems. The
advertisements on buses here say: “Tight Ass. Loose Cannon,” and “Good Cop.
Mad Cop,” so we can anticipate a dose of raunchy, feminist-ish Bridesmaids
humour down the precinct. Not since Thelma & Louise has there
been such a terrifying pair — or such good box office returns in America.
The buddy movie